They Left All the Weak Ones Here
“They left all the weak ones here”
In section 4 of the novel “of mice and men”, George and the ranchers have left the “weak ones” at the ranch and gone into town. Although Curley’s wife is the one who refers to them as the “weak ones”, she herself is included in this group. The theme which is emphasised in this section is the overriding theme that humanity is small and fragile in comparison with the forces that control our lives. Steinbeck shows great compassion to this group of people, he describes is great detail before this section of the hopes and dreams of each and every one of “the weak ones” and how they will never be achieved. In this group are four people, each with their own problems, stories and hopes, this actual event occurs in Crook’s room where crooks, Lennie and candy are talking about their dream of owning a small farm and “live on the fatta the lan’.”. Before Candy enters, Crooks denies lennie’s dream, telling him “nobody gets no land.” But when Candy defends Lennie and tells Crooks “we got the money right now” Crook’s mind is changed completely when he realises they might be able to get this land, “if you…guys…would want a hand to work for nothing – just his keep, why I’d come an’ lend a hand.” All “the weak ones” are united by this single dream and brought together in shared happiness and anticipation. “The thing they had never really believed in was coming true.” Until curley’s wife walks in and shatters the mood as she is just as unwanted as the men, but she is alone, very similar to Crooks and also she uses very similar words as him “think I don’t like to talk somebody ever’ once in a while?” this shows her and Crooks are the most lonely characters in the novel.
Lennie is the main victim of this novel and without his mental weaknesses would probably not be a victim, Steinbeck chose Lennie to represent the people in this world who are victims who don’t understand them because they are different. Steinbeck compares lennie’s strength to
In section 4 of the novel “of mice and men”, George and the ranchers have left the “weak ones” at the ranch and gone into town. Although Curley’s wife is the one who refers to them as the “weak ones”, she herself is included in this group. The theme which is emphasised in this section is the overriding theme that humanity is small and fragile in comparison with the forces that control our lives. Steinbeck shows great compassion to this group of people, he describes is great detail before this section of the hopes and dreams of each and every one of “the weak ones” and how they will never be achieved. In this group are four people, each with their own problems, stories and hopes, this actual event occurs in Crook’s room where crooks, Lennie and candy are talking about their dream of owning a small farm and “live on the fatta the lan’.”. Before Candy enters, Crooks denies lennie’s dream, telling him “nobody gets no land.” But when Candy defends Lennie and tells Crooks “we got the money right now” Crook’s mind is changed completely when he realises they might be able to get this land, “if you…guys…would want a hand to work for nothing – just his keep, why I’d come an’ lend a hand.” All “the weak ones” are united by this single dream and brought together in shared happiness and anticipation. “The thing they had never really believed in was coming true.” Until curley’s wife walks in and shatters the mood as she is just as unwanted as the men, but she is alone, very similar to Crooks and also she uses very similar words as him “think I don’t like to talk somebody ever’ once in a while?” this shows her and Crooks are the most lonely characters in the novel.
Lennie is the main victim of this novel and without his mental weaknesses would probably not be a victim, Steinbeck chose Lennie to represent the people in this world who are victims who don’t understand them because they are different. Steinbeck compares lennie’s strength to